10 Habits That Are Damaging Your Kidneys

The kidneys have a massive effect on the overall health and wellbeing of your body. These organs filter through between 120-150 quarts of waste, urine, and fluids daily, protecting the body from the build-up of waste.

Your fist-sized, bean-shaped, kidneys can be found just below the rib cage to both sides of the spine. They are needed to regulate electrolyte levels and produce hormones for supporting bone health, as well as hormones for regulating blood pressure and creating red blood cells.

There are times when you might not be aware that your kidneys have been damaged, which makes it even more important to learn how to keep them healthy.

The following are the 10 habits that are damaging your kidneys and putting a lot of pressure on them.

1. Drinking Too Much
Consuming more than one drink a day several times a week increases the chance of kidney damage, thanks to all the stress that alcohol places on the kidneys and liver.

2. Holding In Urine
Holding your urine in can increase the pressure on your kidneys, which potentially leads to kidney stones and even kidney failure.

3. Not Getting Enough Water
If you aren’t drinking enough water, it causes all the waste and toxins that the kidney would normally get rid of to build up and damage the kidneys instead.

4. Eating Too Much Sugar
Research has shown that if someone drinks over two sugary drinks in one day then it increases the chance of having protein in their urine, which is an early warning sign of improper kidney function.

5. Eating Too Much Salt
Consuming too much sodium can cause kidney damage, as it causes pressure on the kidneys and increases blood pressure.

6. Not Getting Enough Sleep
There are a range of health problems caused by chronic sleep deprivation. This includes kidney disease, as the body needs sleep to repair damaged kidney tissue.

7. Vitamin and Mineral Deficiencies
Proper diet is essential to proper kidney function. If your body is lacking in vital vitamins and minerals, such as magnesium and vitamin B6, then it could cause improper kidney function.

8. Drinking Too Much Coffee
Caffeine stresses the kidneys and increases blood pressure, drinking it excessively can cause kidney damage in the long-term.

9. Abusing Painkillers
Many people purchase prescription drugs and over-the-counter medication to treat their aches and pains, but these drugs are full of dangerous chemicals and can cause even more health conditions. One potential side-effect of taking too many painkillers is severe damage to your kidney and liver.

10. Excessive Intake of Animal Protein
Excessively consuming animal protein – red meat in particular – increases the metabolic load on the kidneys. The more protein you eat, the harder you push your kidneys and the more likely they are to be damaged.

The kidneys have a massive effect on the overall health and wellbeing of your body. These organs filter through between 120-150 quarts of waste, urine, and fluids daily, protecting the body from the build-up of waste.
Your fist-sized, bean-shaped, kidneys can be found just below the rib cage to both...

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